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Table of Contents

Manchester South Manual
Official Files
Introduction
Start-Up Options
Scenarios
Other Options
Features
ACI
Electrification
Panel Notes
Manchester South SCC
Macclesfield
Multiplayer & Chaining
Hot Keys
Acknowledgments
Reference Section
Signal Number Plan
Signal Box Prefix Codes
Platform, Loop & Siding Lengths
Splash Screens
Version History

Manchester South Manual

Official Files

Title Version Released
Simulation (Payware) 1.12 18/04/2023
08/04/2015 WTT (Midnight, 0400 & 1400 starts included) 5.1 27/11/2022

Additional user-written timetables are available to download here .

Introduction

The simulated area is that of both Manchester South signalling centre, an Ansaldo product, and Macclesfield signal box.

Due to the nature of the style of signalling centre at Manchester South, there are some unusual features. While most will be documented within the manual, there may be a few not noted.

Start-Up Options

Scenarios

Normal running

A normal day; no line closures.

Bi-Directional line closure

A random section of line within the bi-directionally signalled portion of the route from Sandback to Cheadle Hulme is closed. For example, the Up line may be closed between Sandbach and Goostrey crossovers.

Other Options

Scale of problems: Select 'None', 'Low', 'Medium' or 'High' to set the probability of late running and equipment failures.

Features

ACI

Automatic Code Insertion is provided at Wilmslow, Alderley Edge and Macclesfield (the stations most likely to see terminating trains).

Electrification

All lines in the simulation are electrified with 25kV overhead, with the exception of the Up/Down Middlewich. The Down Middewich is electrified for a short distance to permit an electric loco to reverse behind Signal 3820.

Panel Notes

Manchester South SCC

Bi Directional Working

Manchester South Signallers need to change the direction of travel before they can take advantage of the bi-directional working. This has been simulated by requiring the user to cancel any routes in the current direction of travel before clicking on the relevant direction-of-flow arrow to select the opposing direction.

You are not required to carry out the above procedure to cross an Up train into the Down platform at Alderley Edge, or into Platform 3 at Wilmslow.

SGRCs

There are a number of Signal Group Replacement Controls through the sim. Each one of these replaces any signals which are within the red line to either side.

The SGRCs are Right Click to activate, and Left Click to replace.

Sandbach

When routing towards Crewe, be sure that you have the correct route set. The line to Crewe Salop Goods bypasses Crewe Station, and vice versa. Although these lines are shown together in sim, in reality they split just short of Crewe, with no further opportunity to switch trains between lines.

A Flashing Yellow sequence is provided from the Up Main to Platform 3 at Sandbach; note that one isn't provided from 4048 to 3722.

Middlewich

At Middlewich, when sending a train to Northwich, you control the route into the loop, Greenbank controls the route out of the loop. When receiving a train from Northwich, Greenbank sends you a train, they route into the loop, and you route from the loop.

Wilmslow

It is not possible to route from Signal 3893 to 4135 while a route is set Signal 4136 to 4134 and vice versa.

Alderley Edge

Signals 4105, 4107 and 4109 form triple red protection. These will clear as expected with the normal passage of trains.

Cheadle Hulme

There are restrictions on which routes can be set simultaneously over the junction. This is down to the positioning of Points 5250. When trying to set such routes, you will get a message along the lines of “No Overlap Available”, or “Subroute Locked in Opposite Direction”.

For example, if you have a route set, Signal 385 to Signal 391, along with the route, Signal 4390 to Signal 4388, you cannot set the route, Signal 4125 to Signal 4395.

A SPAD indicator is provided for signals 391 and 3887.

Macclesfield

All platforms are permissive .

Multiplayer & Chaining

The simulation is ideal for a single player.

The simulation chains at all fringes:

Simulation Location
Cheshire Lines Northwich South Jn
Crewe Crewe
Crewe Salop Goods Junction
Manchester Piccadilly Styal
Staffordshire Kidsgrove
Stockport Edgeley Junction No.1

Provision exists for the simulation to chain at other fringes, should the corresponding simulation be developed in the future.

Hot Keys

In addition to the standard shortcut keys , the following are available:

Key Panel Area
1 Left hand side
2 Right hand side

Acknowledgments

Simulation by: James Pedrick (Pedrathome)

08/04/2015 WTT by: John Mills (Meld)

Reference Section

Signal Number Plan

Manchester South Signal Number Plan

This is an Adobe Acrobat PDF file. If you don't have Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your computer you can get a free download of the latest version from the Adobe website . Use the built-in Find function (Ctrl+F) to locate signal numbers.

Signal Box Prefix Codes

Code Box
CE Crewe PSB*
EY1 Edgeley Jn No.1*
GK Greenbank*
MD Macclesfield
MP Manchester Piccadilly*
SJ Salop Goods Jn*
SOT Stoke-on-Trent SCC*

*Fringe box, signals not controlled in this simulation

Non-prefixed signals are controlled by Manchester South (MS)

Platform, Loop & Siding Lengths

Platform Lengths

Location Platform Length (m)
Adlington All 168
Alderley Edge Down 172
Up 128
Bramhall Down 141
Up 183
Cheadle Hulme 1 167
2 167
3 121
4 183
Chelford Down 125
Up 167
Congleton Down 151
Up 171
Goostry All 167
Handforth All 165
Holmes Chapel All 167
Macclesfield 1 305
2 268
3 268
Poynton Down 167
Up 168
Prestbury Down 124
Up 168
Sandbach 1 165
2 168
3 168
Wilmslow 1 (Down) 302
1 (Up) 266
2 222
3 320
4 275

Loop Lengths

Location Loop Name Length (m)
Chelford Down 849
Up 905

Splash Screens

A collection of photographs from the real-life Manchester South SCC

Version History

Version History


Last edited by Steamer on 18/04/2023 at 16:07